SEVERSON, SIMON

SEVERSON, BACH, JENSEN, LARSON, BRUNES, CHRISTOPHERSON, MAHNKE

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/31/2003 at 21:43:03

Biography reproduced from page 383 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Simon Severson, who is carrying on general farming and stock-raising on section 11, Eagle township, is meeting with the success in the development of his interest that invariably accompanies intelligently and capably directed effort. He was born in the vicinity of Primrose, Wisconsin, on the 21st of September, 1870, and is a son of Thron and Gertrude (Bach) Severson. The parents were born, reared and married in Norway, the father’s natal day being the 25th of November, 1834, and that of the mother, December 12, 1840. A longing to avail themselves of the better advantages and greater opportunities afforded in the new world, resulted in their taking passage for the United States in 1868, and the same year they located in Wisconsin. The father is a carpenter by trade, but soon after coming to this country turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, devoting his entire time and energies to this occupation during the remainder of his active life. After three years residence in Wisconsin, they continued their journey westward, and in 1871 came to Iowa, settling on a farm in Winnebago county. The development and improvement of this place engaged his attention during the succeeding forty years, during which period he converted it into one of the most attractive and valuable properties in that community. In 1911, Mr. Severson withdrew from the active work of the fields and he and the mother removed to Forest City, where they continue to reside. The family of this worthy couple numbers nine: Simon, our subject; Lena, who became the wife of H. Jensen, a merchant of Forest City, Iowa; Thomas, who is farming in Eagle township, this county; Albert, who is operating the old homestead in the vicinity of Forest City; Tillie, who married Ernest Larson, a farmer of East Chain, Minnesota; Lawrence, a salesman for the International Harvester Company in South Dakota; and Robert, who is living on the old home place near Forest City.

Simon Severson was only an infant when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, in which state he has ever since made his home. At the usual age he began his education in the district schools, and about the same time began qualifying himself for the vocation he is now following by assisting his father with the lighter work about the fields and barns, his duties being increased as his strength and sense of responsibility developed with the passing years. Upon attaining his majority he left the parental roof and began farming for himself, and for three or four years thereafter cultivated rented land in the vicinity of his home. In 1901, he came to Kossuth county and, together with his brother Thomas E., purchased a quarter of section 13, Eagle township. Six years later he sold his interest to his brother, and removed to his present farm, which he had previously bought. It is comprised of one hundred and fifty-seven acres of well improved and highly cultivated land, and is in every way a credit to the agricultural skill of Mr. Severson, who in addition to the operation of his own place cultivates three hundred and twenty acres of leased land. He also engages in raising high-grade stock, the heads of his herds being full-blooded animals of the best breeds, and is meeting with success in both lines of his business. Practical methods, carefully planned and executed, united with unceasing diligence and close supervision of every detail characterize Mr. Severson’s system of operations, and his efforts are being rewarded with a corresponding degree of success.

On the 30th of April, 1906, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Severson and Miss Caroline Brunes, a native of Norway, in which country she passed the first ten years of her life. She is a daughter of N. C. and Anna (Christopherson) Brunes, also natives of the Norseland, the father’s birth having occurred on the 16th of December, 1844, and that of the mother on December 24, 1849. The family emigrated to the United States in 1884 and located in Minneapolis, where the father, who is a mechanic, readily found employment at his trade. He still resides in the Minnesota metropolis, but the mother is deceased, her death having there occurred on June 24, 1907. Mrs. Severson is the eldest of six children, the others being as follows: Charles, who is assisting our subject in the cultivation of his farm; Gunda, the wife of C. F. Mahnke, editor of a newspaper at Moose Lake, Minnesota; and Axel, Christian and Alfred, all of whom are engaged in mechanical pursuits in Minneapolis. To Mr. and Mrs. Severson have been born two children: Adeline, whose birth occurred on January 26, 1907; and Theodore, whose natal day was June 6, 1908.

Mr. Severson is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of the Swea City lodge. He is independent in his political views, giving his support to such men and measures as he deems best qualified to subserve the highest interests of the community. He is now serving in his sixth year as assessor of his township, where he has previously discharged the duties of road supervisor and was for a time a director of school district No. 1. Mr. Severson is interested in the progress of his county and takes a personal interest in forwarding its development. He is especially active in promoting those movements affecting the welfare of agricultural interests and is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Swea City.